Oil burner and improved ignition baffling means therefor



April 6, 1965 M. D. HUSTON 3,176,752

OIL BURNER AND IMPROVED IGNITION BAFFLING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 wwcawaooooooooooow00M INVENTOR,

M. D. HUSTON A ril 6, 1965 OIL BURNER AND IMPROVED IGNITION BAFFLING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Jan. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,176,752 OIL BURNER AND IMPROVED IGNTTION BAFFHNG MEANS TIEREFUi-t Milton D. Huston, Santa Fe, N. Mex, assignor to Controis (Iompany of America, Schiller Park, IlL, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 30, 1962, Ser. No. 169374 3 Claims. (Cl. i53-91) The invention relates to an improvement in burners and has for one purpose to provide an improvement in liquid fuel burners of the so-called pot type. One purpose is to provide improved baffling means for such a pot.

Another purpose is to provide improved ignition means for such a pot.

Another purpose is to provide improved means for the use and storage of a lighting torch for the pot.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical axial section;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view, on a reduced scale, of the pilot structure;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through the torch and its associated elements; and

FIGURE 4 is a partial side elevation.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and, first, to FIGURE 1, A generally indicates the burner pot which is shown as in cluding a circumferential, generally cylindrical side wall 1 and an upwardly concave pot bottom 2. 3 indicates a liquid fuel inlet pipe. It will be noted that the pipe slopes slightly downwardly and outwardly from its junction with the pot side wall, the high point being at 3a. The pot side wall is provided with or perforated by a plurality of air' inlets indicated, for example, at 4, 5 and 6. The punching of the pot may be widely varied but illustrated herein is a practical punching which provides adequate primary air when the pot is burning at high fire. In the particular structure herein shown the pot side wall terminates with a free upper lip 7, the secondary air being delivered above the lip by a pot extension or ring, generally indicated at 8. The ring 8 maybe welded or otherwise secured to an upper portion of the pot side wall 1, as at 9. It is bent outwardly therefrom as at 9a and is pierced by the air inlets 10 which are aligned with an upper edge portion of the pot side wall. Thus air entering through the apertures or inlets It will flow upwardly (about the upper edge 7 of the pot side wall 1 toward the bases of the jets delivered by the apertures 11. The main supply of secondary air is admitted through the apertures 11 in the cylindrical ring 8. The upper edge of the ring 8 terminates in an outward flange 12 which may, for example, abut any suitable supporting ring 13 which may form part of or be secured in relation to an outer air housing or a stove structure, not herein shown. It will be understood, of course, that any suitable means may be employed for directing air into such outer air housing, but an air inlet aperture located below the pot bottom 2 is practical.

In pot type burners of the type herein described it will be understood that a liquid fuel, for example, a liquid hydrocarbon, is admitted through the passage 3 in metered quantity and flows out upon the pot bottom 2. Assume that combustion is already under way in or above the pot, the liquid fuel thus admitted is vaporized and the vaporized fuel rises upwardly in the pot and receives primary air through the inlets 4. Thus a rich primary mixture is provided, of air and vaporized hydrocarbon, the air in the EJ763523 Patented Apr. 6, 1965 mixture being insuflicient to support full combustion. As the mixture rises in the pot it receives additional primary air from the inlets 5 and 6 and finally, at high fire, receives secondary air through the inlets 10, 11. This secondary air supply, through the larger and more closely spaced secondary air inlets, is in volume sufficient to convert the rich primary mixture into a fully combustible mixture which burns at and above the upper edge of the pot. Normally, the flame rises to some height above the flange 12 and the combustion may take place in any suitable stove or heat conducting or radiating structure.

In initiating combustion it is advantageous to employ a torch which, in effect, is a wick-carrying rod. I illustrate in FIGURE 3 an admission tube 20 having a lower seat 21, an open upper edge 22, and lateral top outward enlargements 23. During normal combustion of the pot a torch receiving tube 24 is in position in the tube 20, as shown in FIGURE 1. It includes a cylindrical side wall 25 and a bottom wall 26 having one or more air apertures 27. 28 is any suitable transversely extending wire, spring or the like, which limits the downward and inward movement of the torch structure, generally indicated at 29. The tube 24 is also apertured as at 30 in alignment with the enlargements of the tube 20. The torch 29 includes a wick portion 31 and a handle 32 of wire or the like. When the parts are in the position of FIGURE 1 the member 28 spaces the torch wick 31 upwardly away from the wall 26 and thus prevents blocking of the aperture 27. There is a slight flow of air downwardly about the wick 31, which draws such smoke or fumes as still remain in the wick into the interior of the pot. However, the aperture or apertures 27 are of insufficient cross-sectional area to have any substantial effect on the inflow of primary air. When it is desired to light the pot all that is necessary is to withdraw the sleeve or tube 24, to light the wick 31, and then to drop it into the tube 20. The parts are so proportioned that the wick 31 will be located within the interior of the pot, in the line of flow of fuel from the duct or tube 3. Enough heat will be generated by the combustion of the wick to inaugurate the vaporization of the liquid fuel.

In considering the lighting procedure the so-called snufice fer tube 24 is first withdrawn. The torch 29 is then inserted through the tube 20, with the wick 31 in alignment with the oil inlet, until the wick has been moistened with fuel. The saturated wick is then removed and lighted, and re-inserted through the tube 20, so that the flaming Wick is aligned with the large air jet which flows downwardly through the open tube 20. This large amount of excess air substantially reduces the time required to light and preheat the burner. However, it is allowed to flow only for the'limited time necessary for the preheating. After the preheating and lighting is completed the wick is removed outwardly through the tube 20 and placed in the snuifer tube 24, Where any remaining flame is extinguished. Immediately thereafter the snufier tube 24 is reinserted, or any substitute closure which may be employed. When the snuifer tube is used it is dropped into the lighter tube and eifectively seals oif the large air jet which was previously flowing downwardly through the tube 20 into the pot interior. The passage of air through the aperture 27 is insufficient to have any deleterious effect on normal combu-stion.

The vaporized fuel receives the mixture of primary air through the inlets 4 and flows upwardly through and about the below described pilot structure. The rate of combustion is determined by the rate of liquid fuel into the pot. At high fire, that is to say, at maximum fuel flow, all of the apertures 4, 5 and 6 provide primary air for a mixture which does not become fully combustible until it is mixed with secondary air flowing inwardly through the ducts or apertures ll. At low and, intermediate flame conditions, however, the pilot structure below described becomes important. V

I illustrate a pilot including an upper ring 4b with its upwardly turned lip 41 and a lower ring 42 with its upwardly and inwardly turned lip 43. The two rings may be connected by angles or fingersstampedout of the two rings, as shown, for example, in FIGURE 2. The angular stampings 45 fromthe upper ring =leave apertures or air inlets 46 in the upper ring 40, these beinglocated intermediate the inner and outer edges of the ring. They may be welded or otherwise secured tosimilar upwardly stamped angular portions 47 stamped out of the edges of the lower ring 42. It will be noted that the upper ring,

at its outeredge, terminates closely adjacent the inner surface of the pot side wall 1, although some slight clearance isprovided. The ring may be supported, for example, on pins as shown as having beveled outer ring centering portions 51. The lower ring is shown with a substantially smaller inner diameter than the upper ring, and also with a substantially smaller outer diameter whereby air and the primary mixture may flow upwardly into the space between the tworings. It will be noted, also, that the lower apertures 5 are aligned with the space between the two rings and are employed to direct primary air into the space between the two rings, while aspirating and drawing from below the primary mixture of vaporized fuel and air formed in the space below the pilot structure. If desired, some of the lower aperturesS may be tilted downwardly to direct air into the space below the baffle structure. Preferably, some of them at least are arranged to direct air directly into the inter-ring space.

In the use of the burner, and assuming that a minimum supply of fuel is delivered through the tube 3, enough of the primary mixture may be formed to fill the space below the pilot structure. through the. pilot structure, some passing through the lip 43'and some passing from the inter-ring surface and along the lip 41, this primary mixture receives air from the upper inlets 5 and the inlets 6 and becomes a mixture thin enough for complete combustion. It may then burn at or above the level of the bafiie structure. When the rate of flow of fuel is increased to the high fire volume then all of the apertures below the lip 7 serve as primary air inlet apertures, and the rich mixture does not become fully combustible until it receives the secondary air through the air inlets ill.

The bafi'le structureperforms an important function of equalizing the zones of combustion at all stages.

upwardly within the lip 41, to receive the infiowingair of the upper apertures 5 and 6.

As an alternative means for lighting thepot I have V illustrated a match port structure, at the right of FIGURE 4, which includes a fitting'tl which surrounds an inlet tube 61 normally closed by the lid 62, pivoted as at as.

The outer edge of the tube 61 maybe upwardly and inwardly inclined toward the top of the pot, so that the shutter 62 normally is in closed position. it is available to be listed for purposes of observation, or, if desired, for

disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammaticrather than. as limiting me to my precise disclosure herein.

of the pot, and secondary air may be admitted by means other than those shown,

As this primary mixture rises- The. apertures 46 are very helpful, since they spread the rich primary mixture throughout the pot, some of it being delivered exteriorly of the lip 41 While the rest of it flows It will be understood, for example, that many changes may be made in contouring and punching The use and operation of the invention are as follows:

In pot type burners of the type shown a rich primary mixture is initially formed, wherein the proportion of air is too little to support full combustion. This primary mixture rises in the pot, and at or adjacent or beyond the pot end or top it receives secondary air in volume suflicient to form a thinner or combustible mixture. That is to say, the primary mixture has too little air for the fuel or too much fuel for the air, whereas the additional air delivered through whatever secondary air inlet means are provided is effective to produce a proper mixture of air and vaporized hydrocarbon for full combustion. Primarily, in the starting stage, but to a degree throughout the use of the pot at all stages of combustion, baffle means are important in equalizing combustion in the pot and also in preventing overheating of the pot bottom and fuel cracking by combustion taking place at or above the top of the pot.

In considering the lighting procedure, the. lighting tube 20 is shown as welded to the edges of an oval hole in the. side wall 1 of the burner. As will be clear from FIG- URE l, the lighting tube is wide open at both ends, and unless it is closed to exclude or to limit air flow through the tube the burner would not operate properly, because of excess air. The insertable snuffer tube 24 closes the tube 20 almost completely at the bottom. Any suitable size or number of bottom apertures 27 may be provided. The aperture 30 at the top of the snuifer tube has as a primary purpose toprovide means for removing the snufler tube 24 in the event that a condensation of vaporized tar about the lower end of the tube might seal or freeze the snufi'er tube in place. The same situation may.

arise if a plug or cap is-substituted for the snuifer tube. Should the closure freeze in place, because of an accumulation of tar, the operator may insert a screwdriver or handle through the aperture, or, if desired, opposed apertures 36. The'handle may then be used to rotate and to pull on the suffer tube, to break the seal of the tar and to make it easy to remove thesnuffer tube or closure. The illustrated slidable closure or snuffer tube, sealing at the bottom of the tube Ed, in combination with air delivery adjacent the seal, seems in practice to prevent tar from condensing and creeping up along the tubes.

I claim:

1. In an oil burner structure, a pot having a circumferential side wall, a bottom and a liquid fuel inlet adjacent one edge of the bottom, the sidewall having a pluralityv of air inlets therein spaced circumferentially thereabout at various distances fromthe ends of the pot, the

top of the pot beingat least partly open, an ignition tube extending diagonnally downwardly and inwardly through the wall of the pot adjacent but spaced upwardly from the pot bottom and formed and adapted to admit a lighting torch, a snutfer tube removably insertable in said igni-' tion tube, there being opposed means in the two tubes to limit the downward and inward movement of the snufier tube in the ignition tube, the snuffer tube being open at its upper end, whereby to admit the insertion of the torch when not in use, the lower end of the snuifer tube having a closure, said closure having one or more air admitting apertures whereby to draw the fumes of the torch downwardly and inwardlly into the interior of the pot, and further including means for limiting the entry or" the torch into the snutfer tube, whereby to prevent blocking of the air admitting aperture or apertures.

2. In an oil burner structure, a pot having a circuin ferential side wall, a bottom and a liquid fuel inlet adjacent one edge of the bottom, the side wall having a plurality of air inlets therein spaced circumferentiall'ythereabout at various distances from the ends of the pot, the top of the pot being at least partly open, an ignition tube extending diagonally downwardly and inwardly through the wall of the pot adjacent but spaced upwardly from the pot bottom and formed and adapted to admit a light- 7 ing torch, a shutter tube removably insertable in said ignition tube for storage, there being opposed means in the two tubes to limit the downward and inward movement of the snufier tube in the ignition tube, the snutfer tube being open at its upper end for the free insertion of the torch when not in use, said snuifer tube having a closure at its lower end adequate to prevent undesired flow of air downwardly through the ignition tube, when the ignition tube is out of use and when the snuffer tube and lighting torch are inserted for storage in the ignition tube.

3. The structure of claim 2 characterized by and including means for limiting the entry of the torch into the snufier tube to a predetermined distance.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 167,520 9/75 Frankfoder 158-10 FOREIGN PATENTS Denmark.

'Great Britain.

Germany.

JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner.

15 FREDERICK L. MATTESON, JR., FREDERICK KETTERER, Examiners. 

1. IN AN OIL BURNER STRUCTURE, A POT HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SIDE WALL, A BOTTOM AND A LIQUID FUEL INLET ADJACNET ONE EDGE OF THE BOTTOM, THE SIDE WALL HAVING A PLURALITY OF AIR INLETS THEREIN SPACED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY THEREABOUT AT VARIOUS DISTANCES FROM THE ENDS OF THE POT, THE TOP OF THE POT BEING AT LEAST PARTLY OPEN, AN IGNITION TUBE EXTENDING DIAGONALLY DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY THROUGH THE WALL OF THE POT ADJACENT BUT SPACED UPWARDLY FROM THE POT BOTTOM AND FORMED AND ADAPTED TO ADMIT A LIGHTING TORCH, A SNUFFER TUBE REMOVABLY INSERTABLE IN SAID IGNITION TUBE, THERE BEING OPPOSED MEANS IN THE TWO TUBES TO LIMIT THE DOWNWARD AND INWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SNUFFER TUBE IN THE IGNITION TUBE, THE SNUFFER TUBE BEING OPEN AT ITS UPPER END, WHEREBY TO ADMIT THE INSERTION OF THE TORCH WHEN NOT IN USE, THE LOWER END OF THE SNUFFER TUBE HAVING A CLOSURE, SAID CLOSURE HAVING ONE OR MORE AIR ADMITTING APERTURES WHEREBY TO DRAW THE FUMES OF THE TORCH DOWNWARDLY AND REARWARDLY INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE POT, AND INTO THE SNUFFER TUBE, WHEREBY TO PREVENT BLOCKING OF THE AIR ADMITTING APERTURE OR APERTURES. 